Ministers’ car bill accelerates to £¼m

Apr 24 2008 by David Williamson, Western Mail

ASSEMBLY Government ministers have been accused of enjoying a “limousine lifestyle” after new figures showed a four-fold increase in spending on official cars.

Figures obtained by Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Darren Millar show that in the last five years total expenditure on Assembly vehicles has risen by 352%.

In 2007-08, £240,016 was spent, up from £53,063 in 2003-04. In the last financial year £159,750 was spent on new cars. The ministerial fleet is made up of Volvo S80 2.4 diesel automatics.

The overall figures include spending on new vehicles, maintenance, fuel and the cost of hired chauffeur-driven cars.

Mr Millar said: “While I accept there needs to be a certain amount of spending on official government vehicles, the large rises we have seen in recent years cannot be justified. It strikes me that Rhodri Morgan and his ministerial colleagues have got a real taste for the limousine lifestyle.”

Describing the administration as “champagne socialists”, he said: “Taxpayers across Wales will be rightly astonished at such high levels of spending on ministerial cars.

“Ministers are ignoring their own advice at a time when they are telling local government and other public sector organisations to tighten their belts.”

The Clwyd West AM acknowledged ministers could not travel in “clapped-out old bangers”, but added: “Ministers must be able to justify every penny of this expenditure. On the surface it seems to be nothing more than a costly exercise in self-aggrandisement.”

A Government spokesperson accused him of “total Tory hypocrisy” saying: “The Volvo S80 is a large-medium saloon – not a limousine.

“If Darren Millar AM is going to call it a limousine, just ask yourself ‘Would you buy a second-hand car off this particular Tory salesman?’

“The Volvo S80 was chosen because it is very economical to run. Our previous experience as to reliability and economy was very good and ministers can work in the car.

“Ministerial cars have to be suitable to work in, especially on long journeys between South and North Wales.

“It is total Tory hypocrisy to throw mud at ministers having a ‘limousine lifestyle’ when the Tory leader rides a bike into Westminster for a photo-opportunity with an empty official car coming along behind with his papers and change of clothes.

“Does Darren Millar, Tory AM, honestly believe that Tory ministers before 1997 were driven around in Ford Escorts?

“This is a case of do as I say, not do as I do.

“Cars are like any other piece of equipment; they need to be replaced from time to time.

“When that happens, new vehicles are purchased following established Assembly Government procedure to ensure value for money.”

Anne Meikle, head of policy and advocacy at WWF Cymru, said she would be “disappointed” if the increase in spending was matched by a rise in carbon emissions. She said: “At a time of heightened awareness regarding the very real perils of climate change, when dependence on cars should be on the decrease, these figures do not instil confidence.”

John Matthews, the general secretary of the Wales Green Party, said the spending was “astounding” and called on Welsh politicians to lead the nation towards a sustainable future by setting an eco-friendly example.

He said: “It’s about cutting down on the emission of greenhouse gasses but it’s also about setting an example to other people.”

Hybrid cars remained an expensive alternative, he said but he encouraged ministers to share vehicles, use public transport and avoid unnecessary travel.

Mr Matthews said: “Do they really have to attend all those meetings?

“There are such things as teleconferences. It seems taking the car is the easy option.”

The fleet consists of seven ministerial cars, plus two for use in emergencies.

The basic models were purchased. They lack optional extras such as sunroofs.